The Renters Rights Bill has made its way through Parliament and is now set to become law, giving new rights to tenants in rented accommodation wishing to keep a pet.
The legislation will prevent landlords form imposing blanket bans on keeping pets in rented accommodation, requiring them instead to accept tenants with pets unless they have a good reason not to.
Progress of the Bill was delayed by the tabling of a number of amendments designed to protect landlords from the costs of pet-related damage to property. A clause requiring tenants to take out pet damage insurance, a solution favoured by many campaigners, was eventually removed by the government benches on the grounds that the insurance industry was not ready to offer such policies on a wide scale, while an amendment from the House of Lords requiring pet owners to pay an additional deposit was also rejected at the final stage. Instead, the government maintained the position that most pet damage could be covered by a tenant’s standard deposit, with any more significant costs able to be reimbursed via the small claims court.
According to the YouGov research, 40% of renters surveyed have been unable to get a pet due to housing restrictions, whilst almost a fifth (19%) of those who have been refused permission to keep a pet by a landlord say they were forced to give them up.
As part of a long-standing partnership, manufacturer Mars and rescue centre Battersea have been campaigning to improve the rights of pet owners in rental properties for over three years working with Lord Black of Brentwood, who has led the campaign from within the House of Lords.
Lord Guy Black, Baron Black of Brentwood, said: “This legislation marks the start of a long-overdue culture shift. It will ensure the huge benefits of pet ownership are no longer limited to those who own their own homes but can be shared by millions who rent in England.
“As a pet owner myself, I can’t imagine how distressing it would be to have to choose between my home and my pet. I hope those days will now be behind us. I’ve greatly valued working with organisations such as Mars and Battersea Dogs & Cats Home to ensure this legislation truly delivers and I am hugely grateful to them for their campaigning support.”
Peter Laurie, chief executive of Battersea, added: “For years, Battersea has witnessed the heartbreaking reality of families forced to part with their beloved pets because of restrictive housing policies. The Renters’ Rights Bill will finally break that cycle.
“Millions of renters will now have the chance to experience the joy and companionship that pet ownership brings. Having long campaigned alongside Mars for this change, it is heartening to see that a future where no one is forced to choose between a home and their pet is now within reach.”
